Sicilian Culture: The News: American Airlines Apologizes to NIAF

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American Airlines Apologizes to NIAF
The following item was brought to my attention by Professor Richard Juliani of Villanova, a former President of the American Italian Historical Association, Member of it's Executive Council, Editor of at least 3 of its Annual Conference Proceedings, noted author of numerous books about the Italian American Experience, and a person for whom I have great personal regard.
Professor Juliani is unquestionably a dedicated scholar, but like many Italian American scholars, has preferred to focus on adding to the archives of knowledge of the Italian American Experience, and have been hesitant to voice objections to I-A Negative Stereotyping.
However, what has become almost a daily dose of ridicule, derision, and disparagement of Italian Americans, has apparently finally exceeded even the high tolerance level of Professor Juliani.
Professor Juliani not only takes great offense to an article In "The American Way" Magazine published by American Airlines, but wrote them to object.
The article " A Tale of Two Coastlines" by Jim Shahin, in which he adopts/incorporates a pronounced "Jersey" accent. But instead of speaking
from "Jimmy's" perspective he chooses instead the name "Vinny", and to make sure
the reader has no doubt that he is ridiculing Italians, "Vinny" states that "In Joisey, de only wildlife you see is my sister Gina’s screwed-up kids."
"Joisey Accent, Vinny, Gina, AND screwed up kids"??????
But, it gets MORE interesting. As a result of at least Professor Juiliani's and John De Matteo's objections, we get
(1)an "Official" explanation/apology, but we
(2) "accidently" also get the "real" Unofficial response.
Here they are:
(1) The "Official" Response from Richelle Thomson; AA Spokesperson:
Mr. De Matteo,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us and to express your feelings about a recent column written by Jim Shahin. We are sorry that it has offended you, and can say with the utmost sincerity that the column was intended to provide humor and a unique means of experiencing the Oregon coastline. In no way was it meant to disparage Italian-Americans, and the article does not single out any ethnic group. Obviously, the tone or dialect used was meant to convey an East Coast narrator; and Jim often uses his experiences growing up in the East and living now in the South to add flavor to his writing.
Once again, the editors sincerely regret any negative feelings that this column has generated... It is important for us to be able to monitor how the magazine and its contents are received in the marketplace.
With sincere regards,
Richelle Thomson
American Way senior editor
richelle.thomson@aa.com
(RAA: Someone needs to be taught where humor and flavor end, and bigotry and ridicule start.)
(2) The "Unofficial" Response, from Gina Bertagni to several of her coworkers and John DeMatteo:
FYI: Ever since the Sopranos hit it big, a small but vocal segment of Italian Americans has been up in arms about the way they're portrayed in the media. We should probably be extra careful about using such terms as fuhgeddaboutit, and names like Vinny and Gina, which people associate with Italians. Jim used those two names, which is what got him (and us) in trouble with this group. Otherwise, we'd just be dealing with people from New Jersey. Personally, I think these people could find a better cause to put their energy behind, but that's just the way it is right now. Thank goodness the Sopranos has just one season left!
Gina is apparantly suffering from spending too much time at high altitudes, oris merely "clueless" and "oblivious" to the damage the torrent of I-A Negative Stereotyping has done to the I-A community. Gina is also unaware that we are not "a small but vocal segment", but that every Major I-A Organization is concious of, and guided by the number of Reports and Surveys that substantiate that damage, and are actively campaigning against it.
I wonder what "better cause" Gina is involved in, rather than our dedication to protecting the I-A Community from those thoughtless, insensitive, or prejudiced people feel like "dumping" their ridicule and humiliation on Italian Americans as one of the last refuge of permissible bigotry.
The article can be viewed at: www.americanwaymag.com/lifestyle/shahin.asp?archive_date=5/15/2001
Those wishing to express a brief, pointed, but courteous response within the limits of your indignation may respond to:
Richelle Thomson
American Way senior editor
richelle.thomson@aa.com
While messages sent to editors may be discarded or ignored, the editors are accountable to Mr. Doke, VP, Corporate Communications. For those that can take the time, he is the more appropriate person to be contacted.
Mr. Timothy J. Doke
Vice President – Corporate Communications
American Airlines
PO Box 619616 MD 5333
Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, TX 75261-9616
(I have been unable to find his Email address, and an Email request to Amercan Airlines was auto acknowleged , but Suprise!--No Response )
PS. You may be interested in: American Airlines Suck - An anti-American Airlines site. Presents news, statistics, quotes, and personal stories. Covers baggage and ticketing problems, delays, safety, and AA personnel. www.aasucks.org
CC: NIAF,Sons of Italy, UNICO, Coalition of Italo American Associations, Calandra Institute, Italic Institute, AIDA, NCIC,H-ITAM, FIERI, Fra Noi, Italian Tribune, L'Italo Americano, Il Pensiero,American Oggi, Italian American One Voice,La Dolce Vita, Sicilian Culture, Italy in St. Louis, Bella Italia Mia, Italians All, AMICI, Italiani, PIE, Italy-Gene, ITA-Sicily, Sicily-Italy.
REPLY TO MANNY ALFANO:
Dear Mr. Alfano,
Dona DeSanctis at the National Italian American Foundation suggested that I contact you.
As I'm sure you know, American Way ran a column by writer Jim Shahin in the May 15 issue that some found offensive to Italian Americans.
Of course, it is never our intention to offend anyone, and we apologize. We've taken several steps to make amends:
First, we have issued an apology in our Aug. 1 issue.
Next, we pulled the article from our Website's archives.
Additionally, I am personally replying to anyone who writes us on this matter.
Finally, space-permitting, we are considering featuring reader-oriented Italian American Heritage Month events in an upcoming Travel Trends.
The writer, Jim Shahin, an Arab American, truly never intended to disparage any ethnic group. He wrote the column as a unique and humorous take on experiencing the Oregon coast, and only meant to convey an East Coast narrator.
Again, we apologize for any misunderstanding this has caused.
Sincerely,
Elaine Srnka
Editor
American Way

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